Cowgirl Art Contest

Retreat Summary:

This is an all-inclusive upholstery retreat held at the Cross Bell Ranch. Lodging and meals are included in the retreat fee. Arrival is the evening of October 9th for dinner, check out is either the 12th after the upholstery project is completed, or the morning of the 13th.

Ready to take on an upholstery project with expert support every step of the way? In this immersive 3-day workshop, you’ll bring your own upholstered chair frame (torn all the way down to the bare frame)—a rocking chair, open armchair, Parson’s Chair or similar sized frame—and you’ll be guided through the process from the foundation to the finishing details.

You’ll learn foundational and advanced techniques including webbing, padding, spring tying (if applicable), and how to work with specialty materials like leather, hair-on-hide, and decorative nails. You’ll leave with not just a finished piece—but the skills and confidence to tackle more projects on your own.

What’s included:

• Three full days of hands-on instruction
• Use of professional-grade upholstery tools
• Access to expert guidance and troubleshooting in real time
• A supportive, creative space full of fellow makers
• Lodging and meals at the Cross Bell Ranch

What to bring:

• Your furniture piece (pre-approved to ensure scope fits the time frame)
• Your own foam and fabric (additional upholstery supplies are included in the registration cost)
• A sense of adventure and willingness to learn
• Spots are limited to keep instruction personalized. Whether you’re building for your home or your business, this is the perfect place to level up.

Workshop Summary:

The art of trick and fancy riding. The students will be learning safety, fundamentals, horsemanship, and showmanship along with several tricks to continue developing at home.

Workshop Summary:

Our Oklahoma Gathering silversmith class is geared for either the total beginner or the intermediate student. During this three-day class, students will learn the basics of silversmithing and complete a copper bracelet, stamped with one stone, and a two-stone pendant using copper and sterling silver.

Covered in this course are:

• principles and elements of design
• basic metal cutting and sawing
• bezels and stone setting
• surface designs and textures
• gauges of metal and wire

All materials, notebooks with instructions, and tool kits containing everything needed to continue working on projects at home are included in the price. 

Workshop Summary:

This is an advanced workshop on the construction of a rawhide/leather hackamore. The workshop will cover methods of core construction, string sizing for bodies and knots, braiding bodies, foundations for different styles of nose buttons and heel knots as well as side buttons, finishing and shaping. Bringing a finished body is advisable due to time constraints.

Workshop Summary:

This workshop will teach you how to draw Sheridan style floral designs directly onto leather. No need to sketch it out beforehand, I will show you a step-by-step method to make this process easier than you’ve imagined. This method has been taught to me in various ways by several leather masters that I have then modified to my own style. I hope to break down the process into a two-day drawing and tooling class. I will teach you how to use tap off flowers, plan out your layout, fill space, connect circles, and the proper swivel knife and tooling order to maximize depth.

Day one will be spent learning the method as I present all the information to the class. We will practice drawing and if time allows, get to tooling as soon as possible. I want to emphasize repetition of each step so we will be going back over each step and then practicing that step as we go. Let’s make lots of mistakes so we can learn how to fix them while having fun! This is an intermediate level class (some past drawing/tooling experience).

Workshop Summary:

This clinic will help develop quality horsemanship skills and put them to purpose. Simulations, Flag work, tracking, herd work, cutting, and much more will be covered in the clinic!

Participants must bring own horse to participate.

Stalls and RV spots are available at Osage County Fairgrounds for $20/night. Please email jaimie@artofthecowgirl.com to reserve a stall or RV spot.

Workshop Summary:

Join us for a two-day beginner cinch building workshop. This will focus on creating a strong base and intro into design. You will learn everything you need to build a mohair cinch.

Students will need to have and bring these essential tools to complete this workshop.

1 . Cinch Loom

Here are a few places you can purchase one before the clinic if you do not already have access to one. If you can not get one from these places please contact Olivia and she can help you get one.

Option 1

Option 2

Option 3

2.Hemostats or 2.75 blunt tip/large eye needle and pliers.

All other materials including mohair and other tools will be provided!

Workshop Summary:

Learn the art of Brand Building + Story Telling! In this workshop, participants will explore the foundations of turning an idea or a dream into a successful business or initiative, while developing leadership skills essential for navigating the process.

“Never underestimate the power of planting a seed”- Judy Wagner

Kim Parkey has been building bits and spurs for the past 30 years.  His passion is bridle bits and his main goal is to build a bit that is functional first and beautiful second.  He is also committed to sharing his knowledge of bit making with others.  Before retiring to full-time bit making, Kim was a welder/fabricator at New Mexico State University, heading up the welding and machine shop in the Mechanical Engineering Department. Kim was featured in the August 2016 edition of Western Horseman Magazine.  He was awarded the People’s Choice award three years running at the Great Basin Gear Show in Elko, Nevada, on collaboration pieces with outstanding rawhide braider Bret Haskett. Kim lives near Elgin, Arizona with his wife, Karen, and a couple of horses. 

Kathleen Brannon is a Bead Artist living in the Northern Nevada High Desert.   Her work maintains the integrity of color and symbolism used by the Ancients in Petroglyphs and in Ceremonies. Kathleen simply transforms the symbols into contemporary form. Each piece is personally designed and handcrafted.  Sheets of aluminum are sheared into strips, bent, then covered in natural hide.  Once the bead work is completed, it is handstitched to the basic cuff.

Raised in the Southwest, her passion and respect for the wide open spaces of the Western lands and its simple lifestyle became her passion.  As a Non-Native, she has lived near Tribal Lands and had the fortunate opportunity to learn beadwork from many Navajo Elders. 

Lisa Barnes’ journey in the horse industry began in Southern California during her childhood, when she worked at a pony ride and petting zoo. Under the mentorship of the owner, Linda Menary, Lisa learned not only the values of hard work but also the importance of living with passion. Linda’s zest for life and dedication to helping others inspired Lisa to embrace challenges, roll up her sleeves, get dirty and enjoy every moment of your life.

Lisa’s career in the horse industry has lead her into a wide variety of roles, primarily in Alaska. She became a farrier after learning how to shoe horses out of necessity, eventually attending the Kentucky Horse Shoeing School. Lisa’s deep understanding of the equine world continued to grow as she managed the Soldotna Rodeo Grounds, organizing and producing events for the local community.

In the mid-1980s, Lisa worked as an outfitter in Alaska, where she packed hunters and tourists into remote camps with their gear and supplies, and later packed out their hunted game. Through these rugged years, and an education in the school of hard knocks, Lisa learned valuable lessons, especially the importance of preparation and safety. By reaching out to experienced guides, learning proper knot-tying, saddle and pad fitting and training animals before putting hunted game on their backs for the first time, she was able to make life safer with less disasters.

Today, Lisa is a Certified Equine Dentist, offering her expertise to ensure the health and well-being of horses. For recreation, she enjoys team roping, participating in wagon trains with her team and wagon, packing and trail riding and working her stock dogs. Lisa is honored to be returning as a presenter and participant at the Art of the Cowgirl event, where she continues to share her knowledge and passion for the equine world.

Lisa’s commitment to both the art and science of horsemanship, combined with her adventurous spirit, makes her a truly inspiring figure in the horse community.

Lisa Barnes’ journey in the horse industry began in Southern California during her childhood, when she worked at a pony ride and petting zoo. Under the mentorship of the owner, Linda Menary, Lisa learned not only the values of hard work but also the importance of living with passion. Linda’s zest for life and dedication to helping others inspired Lisa to embrace challenges, roll up her sleeves, get dirty and enjoy every moment of your life.

Lisa’s career in the horse industry has lead her into a wide variety of roles, primarily in Alaska. She became a farrier after learning how to shoe horses out of necessity, eventually attending the Kentucky Horse Shoeing School. Lisa’s deep understanding of the equine world continued to grow as she managed the Soldotna Rodeo Grounds, organizing and producing events for the local community.

In the mid-1980s, Lisa worked as an outfitter in Alaska, where she packed hunters and tourists into remote camps with their gear and supplies, and later packed out their hunted game. Through these rugged years, and an education in the school of hard knocks, Lisa learned valuable lessons, especially the importance of preparation and safety. By reaching out to experienced guides, learning proper knot-tying, saddle and pad fitting and training animals before putting hunted game on their backs for the first time, she was able to make life safer with less disasters.

Today, Lisa is a Certified Equine Dentist, offering her expertise to ensure the health and well-being of horses. For recreation, she enjoys team roping, participating in wagon trains with her team and wagon, packing and trail riding and working her stock dogs. Lisa is honored to be returning as a presenter and participant at the Art of the Cowgirl event, where she continues to share her knowledge and passion for the equine world.

Lisa’s commitment to both the art and science of horsemanship, combined with her adventurous spirit, makes her a truly inspiring figure in the horse community.

Jill Barron is a World-renowned clinician, trainer, competitor, judge and coach. She combines classical Dressage techniques and Natural Horsemanship in her training and teaching. Her attention to detail and ability to communicate her expertise is unprecedented. The breadth of her knowledge is not limited to colt starting, ranch, roping or dressage, she is able to educate anyone who is interested in refining their riding.  She empowers riders by equipping them with the skills and confidence to enhance their partnership with their equine.  Her instruction aligns with the training goals for each individual rider, she shares transformative knowledge and embraces positivity. Jill Barron’s focus is encouraging a deeper connection between horse and rider, within all disciplines and all levels.

Born in 1945 in Oklahoma City, Shorty, given name “Lavonna,” spent most of her youth in the tiny community of Fairfax in Oklahoma’s northeastern Osage County. Shorty got her first horse when she was a teenager. She taught herself to ride bareback, eventually galloping into the world of barrel racing and bull riding. Although Shorty worked the rodeo circuit, earning a name for herself as a fearless rider and for her never-say-die spirit, she struggled to find a career that would fulfill her cowboy dreams. She ran a Western store for a while, helped a friend start a Subway sandwich shop, and ponied horses up the starting line at the horse races at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds raceway.

“Honestly, I was obsessed with cowboy culture,” Shorty says. “My love was always with the Western lifestyle.”

After Shorty’s father died in the 1970s, her brother sent off two of her father’s cowboy hats to be renovated and cleaned. “When my brother got those hats back and they were ruined, he told me ‘As much as you love rodeos, you ought to get in the hat-cleaning business.’ It was like a bolt of lightning. I said, ‘Holy cow. What a great idea!” Like everything else in her life, Shorty learned the art of hat renovation and creation by trial and error.

Shorty now owns and runs Shorty’s Caboy Hattery in Oklahoma City and travels throughout the country to massive shows and competitions. Each of Shorty’s hats starts out with quality beaver and rabbit fur from Ukraine. Each custom hat takes at least five days to make, but the handcrafted effort pays off. In Shorty’s eyes, everybody who wears one of her hats is a celebrity.

Workshop Summary:

Spend five days with two professional equine photographers! Learn professional techniques for photographing equine events and the process of working with and photographing horses, models, and candid images alongside Kimberly Beer and Phyllis Burchett of Cowgirls with Cameras. 

Workshop Summary:

This class is a wonderful opportunity to spend three hours during Art of the Cowgirl learning hands on from these amazing artists.

Workshop Summary:

In this two-day workshop, participants will explore the foundations of turning an idea or a dream into a successful business or initiative, while developing leadership skills essential for navigating the process.

Workshop Summary:

Come learn the ins and outs of backcountry packing with Lisa Barnes who has over 45 years of experience in the horse industry. In this clinic you will learn:

• How to prepare a horse to pack
• Safety and do’s and don’ts of packing
• How to properly make loads 
• Knot tying
• Backcountry gear essentials, safety, and tips
• And much more!

Workshop Summary:

This colt starting clinic is a great way to start a young horse under saddle. Starting colts in a group atmosphere is a wonderful way to use a horses natural instincts to advance their training. With Tom and Trina’s instruction, in this group atmosphere, your colt will go from being a part  of the herd to relying on you for support. It is an amazing feeling when this interaction happens. Tom and Trina are very intuitive to both the horse and rider which makes this clinic impactful and fun for those participating.

Workshop Summary:

This is a great opportunity for youth to learn and ride with Cara Brewer.  All levels welcome. Cara will meet each rider at their level- all levels welcome. This is a great environment for youth to learn the basics of cutting, as well as more advanced youth to improve their skills in the show pen.

Workshop Summary:

Spend two afternoons in the cutting pen with Cara Brewer.  All levels welcome. You will work on the flag as well as on live cattle. Some areas you will focus on are herd work, setting up cuts, how to control a cow, positioning while working, and going over things judges are looking for.

Workshop Summary:

Spend three days during the Art of the Cowgirl event braiding a two rein bosal with Bill and Teresa Black. All materials provided. Some basic knowledge of tying spanish ring knots is helpful. 

Participants will braid a 8 braid bosal body with rawhide and a 24 braid nose button with kangaroo leather. You will have a bosal to take home after the workshop!

Workshop Summary:

Learn how to floral tool and construct your own western belt with Chelsea Sazama, owner and operator of Rocking S Saddle Shop. This class will be beneficial for both beginners and experienced makers!

Class Will Cover:

• How to measure out a belt for custom sizing
• Pattern Drawing
• Types of leather that are good for different belts
• Parts of the hides that are best suited for different uses
• Floral tooling and tools
• Edging and burnishing
• Dying, painting and antiquing
• Hole punching

Leather, dyes, tooling slabs and hole punches will be provided.

What you need to bring (if possible):

• Swivel knife
• Tooling maul or mallet
• Bevelers
• Pear shaders
• Leaf liners
• Any other tooling stamps you have or prefer

***IF YOU DON’T have anything, please let me know so I can bring extras that you can borrow. If you have questions on which tools to purchase/bring to class, please call me at the number/email below. I will have a list of all suggested tools needed and where to purchase them.

Workshop Summary:

Improve your knowledge of what the judge is looking for in the show pen in the disciplines of cutting/herdwork, boxing and box/drive/box, reined work, and fence work.

Learn how to get you and your horse to the next level—technically, mentally, and showmanship-wise.

Workshop Summary:

Improve your knowledge of what the judge is looking for in the show pen in the disciplines of cutting/herdwork, boxing and box/drive/box, reined work, and fence work.

Learn how to get you and your horse to the next level—technically, mentally, and showmanship-wise.

Workshop Summary:

Everyone has a story to tell. This workshop will teach you how to write yours, whether you’re writing memories for yourself, to share with family and friends, or with eventual publication in mind. You’ll learn how to select scenes from your life to turn into a book, start the first draft of your own memoir, and learn a fool-proof exercise to bust through writers’ block. Writers of levels are welcome. 

About Jolyn Young:

Jolyn Young lives on a ranch in the mountains of southern California with her cowboy husband and their three feral cowkids. She started writing as a child and never shook the habit. Jolyn used written words to connect with others when she worked on the cowboy crew and later as she traveled around with her husband to his ranch jobs. She started a blog in 2010 that reached dozens of people and was the staff writer on a ranching magazine for five years. Today, she writes a monthly humor column for Western Horseman and is the author of Never Burn Your Moving Boxes, a memoir about her life on big cow outfits.

Wield your pen, strum your strings, rhyme your rhythm and round up your words for Art of the Cowgirl 2025. This workshop will run on Thursday and Friday, half day sessions each day.

Workshop attendees are also eligible to sign up to present on the Art of the Cowgirl stage during open mic sessions. If you are a writer, singer, poet, or just a lover of words this class is sure to inspire and challenge you to try new things and appreciate the gift of language. All experience levels welcome.